< FUFI – Trevor Noah
“Fufi” is a true story from the childhood of Trevor Noah. It is taken from his book Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. The story is about Trevor and his pet dog, Fufi. It teaches us important lessons about love, freedom, trust, understanding, and the idea of ownership.
The story begins when Trevor and his mother move to Eden Park, a coloured neighbourhood in South Africa.
At first, Trevor’s mother brings home two black cats. But many people in the area believe that black cats are linked to witchcraft and bad luck.
One evening, Trevor and his mother return home and find that both cats have been killed. Someone has also written the word “Heks” on the front wall of their house. The word “Heks” means “Witch.”
This event shows the blind beliefs and unfair thinking of the people in the neighbourhood. Trevor and his mother are deeply hurt. After this sad incident, the family decides not to keep pets for some time.
Later, a woman who works with Trevor’s mother offers them two puppies. Trevor’s mother brings the puppies home, and Trevor is very happy.
The puppies are named Fufi and Panther. Panther becomes Trevor’s mother’s dog, and Fufi becomes Trevor’s pet.
Fufi and Panther are sisters. They love and protect each other. However, like many sisters, they also fight sometimes.
Fufi is beautiful, clean, playful, and full of energy. Trevor loves her very much. He sees her as his close friend.
Panther is not as beautiful as Fufi, but she is clever and obedient. She quickly reacts when someone calls or gives her a command.
The family believes that Fufi is foolish because she never comes when someone calls her. Whenever Trevor calls Fufi, Panther runs to find her. Then Panther brings Fufi back, and both dogs come together.
Later, a very sad event takes place. One night, a burglar tries to enter Trevor’s house. During the break-in, the gate falls on Fufi and breaks her spine.
Trevor’s family quickly takes Fufi to the vet. But her injury is very serious, and she cannot be saved. The vet has to end her life so that she will not suffer any more pain.
At that time, the vet tells the family an important truth. Fufi had been deaf all her life.
The family now understands that Fufi was not foolish. She did not come when called because she could not hear.
They also understand that Panther had always been helping Fufi. Whenever Trevor called Fufi, Panther went to her and guided her back.
In this way, Panther quietly helped her sister understand what was happening around her.
Before her death, Fufi had been very active and adventurous. During the day, the dogs were kept in the backyard. The backyard was surrounded by a wall that was five feet high.
But every day, when Trevor and his mother came home, Fufi was waiting outside the front gate. Trevor could not understand how she got out of the backyard.
One day, Trevor secretly watches Fufi. He sees her jump over the five-foot wall.
Trevor then follows her on his bicycle because he wants to know where she goes.
Fufi walks through many streets and enters another house. Trevor goes to the gate and tells a boy there that his dog is inside their yard.
But the boy calls Fufi by another name, Spotty. He says that she is his dog.
Trevor is shocked and angry.
He calls Fufi, but she does not respond because she is deaf. At that time, Trevor does not know that she cannot hear.
He feels helpless, hurt, and cheated.
The other boy and his family believe that Fufi belongs to them. Trevor argues with them, but they do not believe him.
Trevor runs home crying. He feels heartbroken because he thinks that Fufi loves another boy more than she loves him.
To Trevor, Fufi’s love for another family feels like betrayal. He believes that she has chosen another boy instead of him.
That evening, Fufi does not return home because the other family locks her inside their house.
Trevor and his mother go back to the house to bring Fufi home.
Trevor’s mother collects proof to show that Fufi belongs to them. She takes photographs of Fufi, veterinary records, and Panther with her.
She shows these things to the other family.
At last, Trevor’s mother gives the woman some money and brings Fufi back home.
Even after Fufi returns, Trevor is still sad. He feels that Fufi has cheated him by loving another boy and another family.
Then Trevor’s mother explains the truth to him.
She tells him that Fufi has not betrayed him. Fufi still loves Trevor, but she also has a life of her own.
Fufi’s love for another boy does not mean that she loves Trevor less. She can love more than one person.
This becomes Trevor’s first experience of heartbreak.
From this incident, he learns an important lesson:
“You do not own the thing you love.”
Trevor understands that love does not mean owning or controlling someone.
The people and animals we love have their own freedom, feelings, choices, and relationships.
Thus, “Fufi” is a simple but meaningful story. It teaches us that true love is based on trust, freedom, understanding, and acceptance.
Love becomes truly meaningful when we respect the freedom, feelings, and individuality of others.
This version can also be shortened into an easy exam note without losing the main ideas..>
[Academic Contributor:Sindhu P.,HSST English, GGHSS Kallai
Reviewed by:HSE English 4 U Academic Team]